So we've covered cold weather how about...

**Kallorne** · 03-15-2010, 18:56

The heat of the summer? i've only had a chance to use my hammock in cold weather so far. as the sun is taunting me with the thought of summer right now, my question is this: is any under insulation necessary in the summer? can i, like i'm hoping, totally eliminate all pads and underquilts in the warm season and carry only a summer weight bag? should an unexpectedly cold night pop up, will a vbl (tarp, space blanket, poncho, etc) get me through comfortably in a pinch?

**Shewie** · 03-15-2010, 18:59

I've had a few UK summer nights when there's been no need for anything, but usually our temps drop enough at night to warrant something. Most of my camping is canoe based and I'm usually near water and damp areas so I like to have something under me.
From around May time I'll drop the UQ and switch to a 3/4 thermarest.

**Pitch** · 03-15-2010, 19:00

Watch those night time temps - Spokane is mighty dry as you well know and depending on how close you are to the high desert that night time temp can swing way down on ya without warning

Then again you may very well have antifreeze for blood like some of the other hangers on here

Much below 70F and I would want some form of under protection.

My $0.02

**Kallorne** · 03-15-2010, 19:04

just a little additive to the original post... i'm intimately familiar with the areas i frequent in summer, the coldest i'd expect on a stormy summer morning would be around 40 (above 0

). also i tend wake up with my hot water bottle warmer than when i started...especially after a spoonful of butter in my ho cho

**Shug** · 03-15-2010, 19:11

I think that you will need something around 65º or so....... it is a long night of back exposure. I needed something and I thought I was a warmy.
Shug

**Kallorne** · 03-15-2010, 19:16

Originally Posted by Shug

I think that you will need something around 65º or so....... it is a long night of back exposure. I needed something and I thought I was a warmy.
Shug

that's what i needed to know...thanks shug

**Hanson** · 03-15-2010, 20:06

Originally Posted by Shug

I think that you will need something around 65º or so....... it is a long night of back exposure. I needed something and I thought I was a warmy.
Shug

What about just a space blanket when it gets down to 55-60? Is that enough, or is anything under 70-ish UQ weather?

**Shug** · 03-15-2010, 20:09

Originally Posted by Hanson

What about just a space blanket when it gets down to 55-60? Is that enough, or is anything under 70-ish UQ weather?

Yes .... might get a bit sweaty on the back .... but that just depends on you.
Just have to see what works for you.
I would bring my lightest UQ and hang it loose ...... or if it were hot maybe just my weathershield ... but that may or may not cut it.

**Pitch** · 03-16-2010, 11:46

Originally Posted by Hanson

What about just a space blanket when it gets down to 55-60? Is that enough, or is anything under 70-ish UQ weather?

The problem w/ space blankets is their mode of insulation. That is, they are not designed to hold heat in like conventional insulation (which prevents CONDUCTION of heat due to the nature of the material and CONVECTION of warm air due to the air pockets.).

Space Blankets on the other hand are designed to stop RADIATED heat from escaping and are REALLY bad at stopping CONDUCTED heat... so if you are in close contact with the pad its gonna sap the heat off of you just like you were pressed up against any other sheet of plastic exposed psudo-direcly to the cold air.

Space blankets have their place but I just don't think bottom insulation is it - maybe as part of a larger system but then we have condensation issues... so it'd have to be sandwiched in between other more conventional insulation to insure the temperature delta wasn't high enough to cause water droplets to form on it (yicky bathtub hammocking).

If you want to go light use a light-weight down UQ.

If you want to go cheap use wool blankets or foam pad (low compressibility) for these temps

**Just Jeff** · 03-15-2010, 19:36

Yeah - I'd be ready with some insulation below 70-75...even warmer if the wind is blowing.

I'm planning my summer DIY now. I think I'm gonna make a 1.9 oz gathered end hammock with a single layer of torso-sized primaloft sewn directly to the hammock, and a quarter-style bug net sewn down one side.

Not sure it'll be more comfortable than the Blackbird but it'll probably save some ounces. For cooler trips I'll add a torso-underquilt like the Yeti.